VIDEO: Missing Whitby man last seen at his home Sunday evening

Police continue search efforts around the clock with the help of dozens of volunteers

Missing jogger was last seen on Sunday

It’s not known whether Jeffrey Boucher left his home for his usual early morning run before he went missing on Monday, police now say. The last time anyone saw the 52-year-old Whitby man was Sunday evening, Sergeant Nancy van Rooy of Durham Regional Police said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

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The last time anyone saw the 52-year-old Whitby man was Sunday evening, Sergeant Nancy van Rooy of Durham Regional Police said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

“Family members are saying that he was last seen at his home on Sunday (and) later in the evening it’s believed that he did go to bed,” said Sgt. van Rooy.

While Mr. Boucher, who is described as an avid jogger, was not seen leaving his home on Gilchrist Court dressed to run on Jan. 13, “it’s expected because it is part of his routine,” she added.

Other possibilities are also being considered as part of the ongoing investigation. Foul play is not suspected at this time.

“We are also following through on other possibilities, which might mean that he walked away or met up with someone. We don’t know; we are covering all avenues.”

Police and volunteers continue to scour local neighbourhoods and park areas looking for any trace of the missing man, who is a father of two and a teacher at Bowmanville High School.

Mr. Boucher is believed to have left his home between 6 and 7 a.m. on Monday and is known to run about 10 to 15 kilometres within an hour. Searchers fanned out over a 15-kilometre radius around Mr. Boucher’s home on Tuesday and focused their efforts on the Heber Down Conservation Area. Boucher regularly runs both on and off road, Sgt. van Rooy said.

“We are concentrating of course in the town of Whitby but we’re keeping in mind that he is a runner, he is an avid athlete and he does cover a considerable distance in a relatively short period of time.”

Mr. Boucher’s personal belongings and vehicle remain at his home. It’s not known what he was wearing when he departed.

“Everyone is concerned for his welfare,” Sgt. van Rooy said, asking the public to search their properties, especially in rural areas in case Mr. Boucher is injured and needs help.

The search includes frontline officers, police auxiliary members, and about two dozen members of the Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team. Police for the time being are not enlisting the assistance of volunteer searchers from the public.

“We feel very confident we are doing all that we can with the resources that we have,” Sgt. van Rooy said.

“At this point in time, it remains a missing person investigation -- not suspicious in nature. It’s being covered by our criminal investigations branch and we are hoping that in a very relatively short period of time, we will find Mr. Boucher.”

Mr. Boucher is white, six feet tall, 180 pounds with short grey and white hair.

Anyone with new information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Boucher or anyone who may have had contact with him recently is asked to Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520. Anonymous information can be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.